38 Gujaratis deported from the United States of America in past three months

Most of them, above 50 years, have been staying in America for more than a decade

Gujarat is registering an alarming rise in the number of people being deported from the United States of America. For the record, a total of 38 people have been sent back in the past three months for illegal stay — based on forged passport or visa.

15 people were deported in the month of January, while February and March witnessed 12 and 11 cases, respectively. Interestingly, most of the deportees have been staying in America for more than a decade and their age is above 50 years.

Now, Sardarnagar police is looking into the matter and is gathering information from them as to how did they manage to reach the US, procure visa and passport, among others.

Speaking to dna, Sardarnagar police inspector KK Patel said: “The people were found to be staying illegally in the US and were sent back to India after issuing an Emergency Certificate (EC). When we get the EC, we register a non-cognizable (NC) complaint against the person. But, in case of a forged visa or passport, the NC gets converted to a criminal case.”

According to sources, most of the people went to the US with the help of a local agent, who helped them procure all the necessary documents. In return, they paid something between Rs10 and 20 lakh. Some agents also helped them get a job.

Ambalal Patel — an agent from Mehsana — is a name mentioned by most of the deportees. At a cost of Rs10 lakh, he helped people make their American dream come true. Despite all the information, police is yet to take any action against him.

Among the deportees was a couple who stayed in the US for over 15 years without any passport and visa. The duo at first narrated a sorry story of losing their passport and visa paper. But upon further inquiry, they accepted using fake passport and visa for their arrival.

According to an immigration officer: “The US government has become strict against illegal immigrants particularly Indians. Now, even the UK has become strict with the immigration policy and illegal immigrants.”